Juventus have an opportunity to return to winning ways and make it three victories from three Europa League matches when they host Rennes this evening. The Bianconeri have performed well in Europe, although their domestic form has suffered since the international break.
Their disappointing run continued at the weekend when they suffered a shock 3-0 home defeat against Lazio. That result was a major setback and will have left the players eager to respond with a convincing performance in front of their supporters.
Juventus seek a European response
Juventus have looked much more comfortable in European competition than in their domestic fixtures. Their supporters will hope that returning to continental action provides the change of scenery needed to restore confidence after the heavy loss to Lazio.
However, Rennes should not be underestimated. The French side have won just two of their last five matches and have managed only one victory in their opening two Europa League fixtures. Their recent struggles suggest Juventus have an opportunity, although they will still need to produce a disciplined performance.
The Bianconeri will also take encouragement from their previous home match in Europe, when they secured an impressive victory against NEC. Playing in front of their own fans could help them rediscover the attacking confidence that has been missing from some of their domestic performances.
Goals could be on the cards
Juventus could adopt an aggressive approach, particularly if their manager decides to start Randal Kolo Muani and Nick Woltemade together. The combination could give the hosts additional attacking options and increase the likelihood of an entertaining contest.
Rennes have shown that they can compete, but their recent results raise questions about whether they can contain Juventus over the course of the match. The Italian side will hope to take advantage of any defensive weaknesses and make their superiority count.
Our prediction is a 4-2 victory for Juventus. The Bianconeri have the attacking quality to score several goals, while Rennes could still find opportunities against a team looking to rebuild confidence after their weekend defeat.